Boric Acid / Yeast

...but I figured I'd copy and paste one of my handouts in case there may be some helpful info in here for anyone interested (boric acid info towards the bottom of the page)

Candida Albicans

• Yeast infections are caused by candida, which is an opportunistic fungus normally found in the mouth, throat and GI tract. In and of itself its presence is normal.
• Problems occur when a change in the intestinal and vaginal micro flora creates an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria, allowing for an overgrowth of candida.
• The physical changes during pregnancy can sometimes predispose women to an imbalance of candida. This imbalance is also caused by synthetic antibiotics, hormones, or steroids.
• Allopathic medicines are often prescribed; below are other holistic options.

* Outlined below is a strategy of three main areas to work with in order to rid your body of the symptoms of candida overgrowth.
* Aim to reestablish normal vaginal and intestinal flora, restore the appropriate pH level, and promote healing from within.

Diet / fiber/ lifestyle tips to starve and remove candida.
1) Food:
• Eliminate most fruits and juices except for lemons, grapefruits, cranberries, and unsweetened cranberry juice (these help to add acidity to the vagina).
• Candida thrives in a sugary environment so your diet should be low in carbohydrates and contain no yeast products or sugar in any form: no syrups, soy sauce, preserves, sugar, honey, cheese, dairy products, yeast (including in breads), white flour, mushrooms, baked goods, or peanuts. Avoid coffee, alcohol, soda, as well as any fermented foods or beverages such as vinegar.
• Eat plenty of vegetable and lean protein, especially broccoli, kale, garlic, silver beet, spinach, rainbow chard, onions, cabbage, eggs, fish and chicken. Try gluten free grains such as millet and quinoa. Limit potatoes, beetroot, carrots and corn.
2) Drink plenty of water, at least 6-8 glasses a day.
3) Enhance digestion by eating more raw foods, chewing thoroughly, and possibly taking digestive enzymes with each meal.
4) Improve immune function by stimulating lymph flow through exercise and meditation.
5) Improve fiber consumption to heal absorb and flush out the toxins that are created as candida dies off. Psyllium husks and/or ground flaxseeds are excellent sources of soluble and insoluble fiber.
6) Temporarily avoid sex; sexual activity can irritate already inflamed tissues and force candida even deeper into the reproductive system. Yeast infections are easily passed between partners.
7) Avoid constrictive clothing. Candida thrives on warm, moist, dark environments. Avoid any vaginal contact with synthetic dyes or perfumes, including clothing, towels, etc. Use a vaginal powder and/or hairdryer to keep the vaginal area dry.
8) For relief of topical irritation, coat external skin with castor oil, or try the following vaginal powder:
1 cup fine white clay
½ cup cornstarch
2 Tablespoons black walnut hull powder
2 Tablespoons myrhh powder
1 Tablespoon goldenseal powder
1-2 drops Tea Tree oil
Mix together with a whisk. Store in glass jar with tight fitting lid. Keep away from moisture.

PROBIOTIC therapy is a non-pharmaceutical method of manipulating the composition of the intestinal ecosystem in order to reestablish balance and enhance immunity.
1) Re-establish beneficial intestinal flora with acidophilus and bifidus supplements. Dosage is of utmost importance since the ratio of vaginal flora is a balancing act. This may be 50 billion cfu’s per day, 500 billion or even more. A gradual increase will determine the optimum dosage. Stay on probiotic supplements and reintroduce the above mentioned foods slowly to allow your body to adjust.
2) Use an active strain of L. bifidus (a type found naturally occurring in humans) or Lactobacilli (a type made from animal sources).
• Probiotic microbes suppress the growth of and candida and its ability to adhere to surfaces in the body and cause problems.
• Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are strains that have different effects.

Antifungals will topically attack candida.
1) Garlic suppositories: peel a clove of garlic. Some sources encourage nicking the clove to allow for the disinfecting oil to be released, but if you are sensitive to the oil, leave the clove intact. Wrap a thin piece of gauze around the garlic and twist it into a tail. It will look like a tampon and essentially be used as one. Switch with a fresh clove and gauze every 4 hours until the symptoms subside. Be sure to remove every clove to avoid infection!
2) Boric acid suppositories: although a bit extreme in nature, boric acid has been proven effective against candida. If there is burning and irritation it is usually in the first 2 days. 600 mg capsule 1-2 times a day for up to 7 days; after that the boric acid may be absorbed systemically. **The use of boric acid during pregnancy is fairly controversial; it is reputed to cause premature rupture of membranes.
3) Tea Tree Oil suppositories: Combine one teaspoon tea tree oil with one teaspoon isopropyl alcohol. Store this solution, which turns milky white, in a dropper bottle. Add 5 drops of this solution to one cup of warm water, saturate a tampon with it, and leave in overnight.
4) Gentian violet: Apply to vaginal walls with a long cotton swab once daily for 14 days. Gentian violet stains like mad, so beware!

Hi kiki,
My doc had the pharmacy make up a boric acid cream for me. I used it for 2 weeks. It wasn't bad at all--didn't burn or anything--just have to wash your hands after applying. It took care of the yeast for a couple of weeks after the 2 week treatment, but then mine returned. I have VERY resistant yeast that keeps coming back. I heard it accompanies LS and I think that apparently is true. I am going to see my OB in 2 weeks again so we'll see what she recommends this time. deb

Hi Christine,
Regarding LS and treatment--I have had, since my LS started 10 months ago, accompanying irritation around my anus. Do you think the red clover salve will help treat that area as well? deb

Of course..